Indoor Mini Golf in Michigan

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Miniature golf has been a popular pastime since the 1900s. The game began as a scaled-back version of regulation golf and, during its first 30 years, evolved into the game we know today with water hazards, man-made obstacles and holes of various degrees of difficultly. Fast forward 90 years and not only has the game moved inside, but, like those in Michigan, day-glow paint and exotic environs have become the norm.

Courses with Water Features

The Great Lakes Golf Center (greatlakesgolfcenter.com), near Interstate 75 in Auburn Hills, offers indoor mini golf 363 days a year. Located in one of the world's biggest golfing domes, the indoor golf course features 18-holes with waterfalls, rivers and ponds. The Golf Center also features indoor and outdoor putting ranges as well as an indoor golf simulator. Try your luck on the Bayou Miniature Golf course at the Bayou Adventure Family Entertainment Center, part of Joe Dumars' Fieldhouse (joedumarsfieldhouse.com) less than 13 miles to the east in Shelby Township. The course, comprised of 18 holes and challenging water features, is modeled after the state of Louisiana. Other activities at the Bayou Adventure Center include laser tag and a climbing wall. The Fieldhouse also features an indoor golf simulator and a restaurant, Joe's Southern Grill, which serves Louisiana-inspired favorites such as a cobb salad with a Cajun flair. The Center is open daily.

Glow-in-the-Dark Courses

The Lost City (the-lostcity.com) in Holland offers the trippy Cosmic Mini-Golf. Step inside the building, one of many at the Holland Town Center Outlet Mall, and try to conquer the nine-hole course lit only by blacklights. Avoid obstacles such as a bridge laced with spikes or water hazards and sand traps. Lost City, open daily, also features a video arcade, bowling and a cafe that serves snacks and ice cream. Leave reality behind and 150 miles east to the Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf course at the Putting Edge (puttingedge.com) in Novi. The course, illuminated by black light, features 18 themed holes ranging from the wilds of the jungle to the bottom of the ocean floor. The Putting Edge is open daily.

Themed Courses

Head to the Bavarian Inn (bavarianinn.com) in Frankenmuth for indoor mini-golf with a decidedly Bavarian theme. The 18-hole course, set among a Bavarian village, features obstacles such as trees and boulders. The Inn also offers a video arcade, German dishes at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant and for guests of the 360-room inn, access to the indoor water park. Leave Germany behind and head to the lush tropics of the indoor mini golf at Valley Lanes' Lost Pirates Adventure Golf (valleylanesmidland.com) 43 miles southeast in Midland. The course features a waterfall that empties into a flowing river, cannons, hidden treasure and pirates. Valley Lanes also features 32 bowling lanes and drinks and casual fare at Gimmicks restaurant. Both the Bavarian Inn and Valley Lanes are open daily.

Jungle-Themed Courses

Welcome to the jungle at the Jungle Indoor Family Fun Center (junglefuncenter.com) in Petoskey, near the northern shores of Lake Michigan. Dodge the obstacles of the 18-hole course such as alligators, waterfalls and an active volcano. Over 200 miles south in Howell, Great Escape Family Fun Center (greatescapefun.com) also offers a jungle-themed indoor course. Play nine holes among jungle animals such as elephants and giraffes before exploring the other indoor activities, including go-kart racing and a new spin on wiffle ball -- playing while driving a bumper car. Both centers are open daily.

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About the Author

Lowell, Massachusetts-based writer Kris Gleba has been writing home decor articles since 2008. She enjoys all aspects of small home living, from complete gut remodels to ingenius home decorating that incorporates style and function. She has previously written for the “Athol Daily News.” She holds a degree in professional writing from Fitchburg State University.